Over the past years, Maxim Mironov has emerged as one of the great Rossini tenors of his generations and one of the greatest exponents of the Bel Canto repertoire. He has also become a favorite of the Italian audiences, performing in every important theater of the country and a frequent guest at both the Donizetti Opera Festival and the Rossini {…}
Pietro Mascagni, born on Dec. 7, 1863, had an extensive career as an opera composer. Despite that, we remember him today for “Cavalleria Rusticana,” an enduring masterpiece about revenge and betrayal. The work is undeniably a fixture of the canon because of its incredible music, yet it was revolutionary because of the perspective it took on its characters. No longer {…}
“Opera Meets Film” is a feature dedicated to exploring the way that opera has been employed in cinema. We will select a section or a film in its entirety, highlighting the impact that utilizing the operatic form or sections from an opera can alter our perception of a film that we are viewing. This week’s installment features “No Reservations.” The {…}
For many years Saioa Hernandez has performed at some of the leading Italian opera companies performing a variety of repertoire. She has been seen dominating the Bel Canto rep as well as many of Verdi’s operas and she has made a signature of many rarely performed Verismo pieces. This week, she is about to give her highest profile assignment to {…}
La Divina, born on Dec. 2, 1923, sang just under 50 roles over the course of her career. From Carmen to Medea to Tosca, she approached each role with the dramatic prowess which truly earned her the title that we so lovingly reference to this day. In musical circles, Callas has always been and will always remain a topic of {…}
This past month Joyce DiDonato released a new recording entitled “Into the Fire.” The new album, which was recorded live at London’s celebrated Wigmore Hall, features the Brentano Quartet and was conceived around Jake Heggie’s song cycle “Camille Claudel: Into the Fire,” a work written for DiDonato. To celebrate the launch of the album, DiDonato and the Brentano Quartet performed {…}
It’s been a big year for Canadian mezzo-soprano Wallis Giunta. Since winning the “Young Singer of the Year” at the Opera Awards, the mezzo has made numerous debuts and has sung at high profile performances including one at the BBC Proms and is slated to make major debuts at the Barbican for the Grange Festival, and at the Royal Opera Muscat. Now {…}
Donizetti, born on Nov. 29, 1797, is one of the major figures of the bel canto era. He is remembered today for a plethora of operas that retain firm standing in the operatic repertory. His music is renowned for its melodious nature but one of the overrated aspects of his works is that they feature rich and iconic characters. We {…}
“Opera Meets Film” is a feature dedicated to exploring the way that opera has been employed in cinema. We will select a section or a film in its entirety, highlighting the impact that utilizing the operatic form or sections from an opera can alter our perception of a film that we are viewing. This week’s installment features Gregory Hoblit’s “Fracture.” {…}
